Laso admits: 'Only Mike James can stop Mike James' — Efes' tactical pivot

In the summer of 2026, the corridors of Efes' training facility echoed with a phrase I've heard repeatedly from various sources: "Only Mike James can stop Mike James." Pablo Laso, the strategist who once led Real Madrid to the pinnacle with a system-based style of play, is now facing a completely different puzzle. He is no longer leading a team that operates with smooth ball movement, but a team built around a star who can create points by any means necessary — from step-back threes to crafty drives to the rim.

I remember the summer of 2026, when I stood in Moscow watching Luka Modric hug the golden trophy and cry. That was when I understood that elite sports are not just about numbers, but about stories of people overcoming adversity. For Efes, their story begins with the departure of Shane Larkin — a pick-and-roll artist with elite speed and shooting. Larkin created an offensive system based on mobility and distribution. Mike James, as Laso himself admitted, is a "focal point" — a star who can carry the entire team on his shoulders.

This transition is not just a change in personnel; it's a revolution in offensive identity. Laso, once famous for his ball-movement philosophy at Real Madrid, must now learn to balance between system and the simplicity of a star. His statement "we can't be only his team" is a clear signal: the coaching staff recognizes the risk of single-point dependency. They don't want to repeat Monaco's mistake, where James' over-reliance capped the team's ceiling.

The addition of Daron Russell — last season's EuroCup top scorer — is the most crucial piece. Russell is not just a secondary scorer; he's a "dual engine" — someone who can run the offense when James is trapped or needs rest. This is the classic solution to the "star dependency" problem I've seen in many teams. But the biggest question remains: can Russell's EuroCup scoring translate to EuroLeague effectiveness, where defensive intensity and physicality are on another level? My experience watching games tells me that the jump from a second-tier league to Europe's most prestigious competition is always an uncertain leap.

The blind spot in the official narrative I noticed is the absence of Papagiannis. The Greek center is unavailable at the start of the season due to injury — a significant loss on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he's a good pick-and-roll target and a threat near the rim. Defensively, he's a rim protector, a crucial position in a EuroLeague context where there's no defensive three-second rule. His absence forces Efes to find alternatives in the frontcourt, possibly using smaller lineups or relying on other bigs.

Looking at the bigger picture, Efes is betting on a "win-now" strategy with a 34-35 year old star. This is a bold decision, fitting for a club that won back-to-back EuroLeague titles (2026, 2026) and wants to return to title contention. But the risk lies in James' age curve: if he declines or suffers an injury, Efes would be stuck with a large contract for diminishing returns.

However, there's an advantage many overlook: the 40-minute game format of the EuroLeague, 8 minutes shorter than the NBA, naturally reduces the load on James. This could extend his prime, much like how legends like Vassilis Spanoulis or Milos Teodosic maintained elite production into their mid-30s. For a star whose game is based on skill and craft rather than athleticism, James could have 2-3 more high-level seasons ahead.

The relationship between Laso and James is also a key factor. Laso, who faced health issues in 2026, is showing rare flexibility by adapting his philosophy to fit his star. But the phrase "only Mike James can stop Mike James" is also a clever message management: both elevating James and reminding the team they can't rely solely on him. This is the art of a seasoned coach.

When football stops rolling, money still rolls — and debts stay silent. But for Efes, the story isn't about money, but about the transfer of power and identity. They once had a Larkin era with titles. Now, they're entering the James era with a big question: can a star alone lead the team to the summit, or is a well-oiled collective needed? Laso is trying to answer that by building a support structure around James, but only time and games will provide the final answer.

I write about others' dreams, yet I'm the most sober person in the meeting room. From my perspective, Efes is walking a thin line between genius and collapse. In a season where the EuroLeague is in a fiercely competitive era with multiple genuine contenders like Real Madrid, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, Monaco, and Fenerbahce, no single superteam dominates. This creates an opportunity for a well-built team with a proven playoff scorer.

Summer has no ball rolling, but I can hear the echoes of unpaid wages. For Efes, that debt isn't money, but expectations. Fans will compare the James era to Larkin's championship era, and that's an invisible but heavy pressure. Can James do what Larkin did? Can Laso build a system that both elevates the star and doesn't depend on him? These questions will only be answered when the ball rolls on the court.

People call it a fall; I call it the place where I start to stand firm. For Mike James, this isn't just a new contract; it's an opportunity to prove he can be the catalyst for a great team, not just a scoring star. And for Efes, it's a chance to write a new chapter in their glorious history. But as I've learned from years in this profession, the sweeter the news, the more carefully you need to chew it. And I'll be watching this deal closely, because in the world of transfers, everything can change overnight.